French president calls for punishment over army open day shooting
Updated
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for swift and severe punishment after 17 people were shot during a demonstration at an army open day.
Five children were among those injured after a soldier loaded his gun with live rounds instead of blanks.
The victims included a three-year-old boy, who was hit in the heart, and both of his parents.
Mr Sarkozy says it did not seem to be a deliberate act but that it was the result of unacceptable negligence.
The incident occurred during a public demonstration of hostage-freeing techniques at a barracks in the south-west of France.
